Job 29:4

KJV

As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God [was] upon my tabernacle;

KJV (with Strong's)

As I was in the days {H3117} of my youth {H2779}, when the secret {H5475} of God {H433} was upon my tabernacle {H168};

Complete Jewish Bible

as I was when I was young, and God's counsel graced my tent.

Berean Standard Bible

when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God rested on my tent,

American Standard Version

As I was in the ripeness of my days, When the friendship of God was upon my tent;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 29:4 captures Job's poignant recollection of a past era marked by profound divine intimacy and evident favor. He contrasts his current desolate state with a time when God's "secret" or intimate counsel rested upon his life, symbolizing a deep, confidential relationship and a tangible manifestation of divine blessing that permeated his existence. This verse serves as a key to understanding the depth of his spiritual and material loss, highlighting his longing for the perceived withdrawal of God's close presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 29 initiates Job's final, eloquent soliloquy, a powerful lament that follows the exhaustive debates with his three friends and precedes Elihu's speeches and God's direct intervention. This chapter marks a shift from defensive arguments to a deeply personal expression of grief and longing. Job contrasts his former life of honor, prosperity, and divine favor (Job 29) with his current state of suffering, isolation, and perceived abandonment (Job 30). Verse 4 specifically anchors this contrast in the spiritual realm, setting the stage for his subsequent detailed descriptions of his public esteem and personal blessings, thereby amplifying the depth of his current perceived spiritual desolation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the patriarchal period, likely in the land of Uz, an area east of Palestine. The society depicted is tribal, with a strong emphasis on community standing, wisdom, justice, and the blessings of progeny and wealth as indicators of divine favor. The concept of a "tabernacle" (dwelling) here refers to Job's home and his entire sphere of influence, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a patriarch's household as the center of his life and prosperity. The "secret of God" (sod) resonates with the idea of a king or wise man having access to divine counsel or being part of an inner circle, a highly esteemed position in ancient cultures, signifying a privileged and intimate relationship with the divine.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Job. It highlights the theme of **Divine Intimacy and Counsel**, portraying Job's past relationship with God as uniquely close, where he was privy to divine wisdom, much like how [the LORD reveals His counsel to His servants, the prophets](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secret to His Servants"). It underscores **Nostalgia for Lost Favor**, as Job's lament is permeated with a deep yearning for the tangible presence and evident favor of God he once experienced, not merely material blessings. Furthermore, the phrase "upon my tabernacle" speaks to **God's Presence as a Dwelling**, implying that God's protective, guiding, and blessing presence rested upon his life and everything associated with him, making his life a sanctuary where God's favor resided, similar to the concept of God dwelling among His people in [the wilderness tabernacle](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Secret (Hebrew, _sôd_):** This multifaceted term denotes "council," "confidential discussion," "intimate friendship," or "secret assembly." In this context, it implies privileged access to God's inner thoughts, plans, or being part of His intimate circle. It's not general knowledge about God, but a deep, personal understanding and communion, suggesting a relationship of profound trust and shared confidence, far beyond mere acquaintance.
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, _’ōhel_):** While literally meaning "tent" or "dwelling," in this context it extends beyond a physical structure to encompass Job's entire household, his family, his possessions, and metaphorically, his very being or sphere of influence. It signifies the place where God's presence was manifestly felt and where His blessings resided, making his life and home a sanctuary of divine favor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As I was in the days of my youth":** Job initiates a retrospective, contrasting his present suffering with a past era of vitality, strength, and prosperity. "Youth" here signifies not merely age, but a prime period of life characterized by vigor, honor, and divine blessing, a golden age he now deeply longs for, emphasizing the stark contrast with his current desolate state.
* **"when the secret of God [was] upon my tabernacle;":** This is the spiritual core of Job's lament. It describes a profound, intimate relationship with God where divine counsel and confidential communion were a tangible reality in his life. "Upon my tabernacle" indicates that this divine intimacy permeated his entire existence, his home, his family, and his public life, serving as the foundation for all his blessings and wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Job 29:4 employs several potent literary devices. **Nostalgia** is central, as Job vividly recalls a cherished past, creating a stark contrast with his present misery and emphasizing the depth of his loss. The phrase "the secret of God was upon my tabernacle" is a powerful instance of **Metaphor**, where "tabernacle" represents not just a physical dwelling but Job's entire life, household, and even his inner being, upon which God's intimate presence and counsel rested. This also functions as **Symbolism**, with the "secret of God" symbolizing a profound, privileged, and confidential relationship with the Almighty, a level of intimacy that Job perceives as having been withdrawn. The verse also uses **Juxtaposition** by implicitly contrasting his former state of divine favor with his current perceived abandonment, amplifying the emotional weight of his lament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 29:4 profoundly illustrates the human longing for divine intimacy and the pain of its perceived absence. It posits that true prosperity, beyond material wealth, is rooted in a confidential relationship with God, where His wisdom and presence are tangibly experienced. This verse connects to the broader biblical theme of God's desire for intimate fellowship with humanity, a fellowship often marked by revelation and guidance. Job's lament highlights the deep spiritual vacuum created when such intimacy is seemingly withdrawn, prompting questions about divine sovereignty and human suffering and underscoring the preciousness of God's revealed counsel to His faithful.

* [Psalm 25:14](/psalms/25-14 "Psalm 25:14 - The Secret of the LORD")
* [Proverbs 3:32](/proverbs/3-32 "Proverbs 3:32 - The Secret of the Upright")
* [John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - Friends, Not Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's poignant reflection in Job 29:4 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound value of an intimate relationship with God. It challenges us to consider what constitutes true prosperity, shifting our focus from external blessings to the invaluable presence and counsel of God in our "tabernacle"—our lives, homes, and inner beings. While we may not always experience God's favor in the same tangible ways as Job did in his youth, this verse encourages us to actively seek a deeper, more confidential walk with Him, recognizing that His "secret" is revealed to those who fear and diligently pursue Him. In times of difficulty, recalling past seasons of God's evident favor can strengthen our faith, reminding us of His unchanging character and faithfulness, and prompting us to lean into His presence even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It invites us to cultivate a life where God's counsel is sought and His presence is cherished as our most precious possession, understanding that true blessedness flows from this divine intimacy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "the secret of God upon my tabernacle" mean for your personal walk with God?**
* **How does Job's longing for past intimacy with God resonate with your own spiritual journey, especially during challenging times?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a deeper, more confidential relationship with God in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**What does "the secret of God" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Job 29:4, "the secret of God" translates the Hebrew word _sôd_ (סוֹד), which signifies a profound level of intimacy, confidential counsel, or being part of an inner circle. It suggests that Job was not merely blessed by God, but was privy to divine thoughts and plans, enjoying a unique, confidential relationship. This implies a deep, personal understanding and communion, similar to how [Psalm 25:14](/psalms/25-14 "Psalm 25:14 - The Secret of the LORD") states, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." It was a privileged access to God's wisdom that underpinned Job's former prosperity and guidance, making his current spiritual vacuum all the more painful.

**How does Job's "tabernacle" relate to God's presence?**

Answer: The term "tabernacle" (Hebrew _’ōhel_) refers to Job's dwelling place, his home, but also metaphorically extends to his entire household, his family, his possessions, and his very being. When Job says "the secret of God was upon my tabernacle," he means that God's protective, guiding, and blessing presence rested tangibly upon his life and everything associated with him. It implies that his life was a sanctuary where God's favor resided, making His presence the foundational element of Job's prosperity and well-being. This concept echoes the idea of God dwelling among His people in [the wilderness tabernacle](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed"), signifying His intimate presence and guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's lament for the "secret of God upon my tabernacle" in Job 29:4 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Job longed for a past intimacy that he perceived as withdrawn, Christ embodies the permanent and perfect dwelling of God among humanity, becoming the ultimate "tabernacle" through His incarnation (cf. [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). In Him, the "secret of God"—the profound mysteries of God's will and plan for salvation—is fully revealed, as Paul declares in [Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in Whom Are Hidden All Treasures") that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are not merely granted temporary access to God's counsel, but are brought into an eternal covenant relationship, becoming temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). The intimacy Job yearned for is now a present reality for those in Christ, who are called not servants but "friends" by Jesus Himself ([John 15:15](/john/15-15 "John 15:15 - You Are My Friends")), sharing in the very life and counsel of God through the indwelling Spirit. Thus, what Job experienced as a past, temporary blessing, is eternally secured and infinitely surpassed in the new covenant established through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the full revelation of God's "secret" and the permanent dwelling of His presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Proverbs 3:32

For the froward [is] abomination to the LORD: but his secret [is] with the righteous.

Job 1:10

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

Job 15:8

Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

Psalms 27:5

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalms 91:1

¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Colossians 3:3

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.